Admissions Testing
When admissions testing is required, the division counselor
administers standardized tests. Candidates entering the Brazilian
Program are also tested in Portuguese. Candidates are expected to fall
within the range of percentiles achieved by current Escola Americana
students.
All students who have studied less than three years in an all-English
school and/or whose native language is not English will be required to
take an English as a Second Language (ESL) proficiency test for
admission or placement. The IPT (Idea Proficiency Test) assesses
reading, writing and oral proficiency in English. The test results may
determine admission and placement, including the ESL support that
students will receive.
The Learning Specialist of the division and the School Psychologist
review previous testing results of students with documented learning
disabilities. If necessary, specialized tests are
administered to determine eligibility for Resource Center
assistance.
Preschool, kindergarten, and first grade admission is based on an
observation by a team consisting of 2 teachers and the Lower
School Counselor. The School Psychologist may also participate.
Small groups of children participate in the observation which consists
of developmentally-appropriate activities that assess language and
motor skill development, listening comprehension, ability to follow
directions and overall readiness for our preschool environment. The
observation session is conducted in Portuguese or English, depending on
the language spoken by the children. The qualitative data of the
observation is transformed into a quantitative score that has been
normed to the school's expectations for the student's age. Candidates
for first grade are also tested for basic reading and writing skills
appropriate for students who have completed a kindergarten program or
its equivalent.


